Chapter 18 of To Kill a Mockingbird is dedicated to Mayella Ewell's testimony that she was raped by Tom Robinson. However, Atticus does his best to show that a rape never happened and that Mayella is lying to save face. Unbeknownst to Atticus, Jem and Scout are in the courtroom watching from the balcony. By watching and listening to Mayella make serious claims against an innocent man, Scout takes away some insights as to what being a poor, ignorant woman really is. Any lesson Scout learns from Mayella would be about how not to be like her.
First, Scout learns that being courteous, as she has been taught all her life, is a good thing. Without manners, Mayella is not able to recognize when someone is being courteous to her. As a result, she lashes out like an ignoramus and looks foolish. People such as Aunt Alexandra and Mrs. Dubose are constantly telling Scout to live up to her name in manners, behavior and dress. With Mayella, Scout can surely see what the result of not following those social rules could be. Scout has often resisted dressing and acting properly, but after seeing how Mayella lives and what she lacks in her life, maybe Scout will consider being grateful for what she has.
Next, Scout learns that Mayella can write a little bit, but she does not have a profound education like Scout could have. Jem points out to Dill at the beginning of the book that Scout could read when she was very young, but Scout decides on her first day of school that she doesn't want to go anymore because of a disagreement with her teacher on reading and education. After getting to know Mayella's life without education, Scout can probably see education's value more heartily. Without a good education, Mayella will never have an opportunity to get a well-paying job, go to college, or live an independent life. Scout, on the other hand, will be able to live the life she chooses.
Finally, Scout and Jem both learn about rape from Mayella, although how deeply and specifically is debateable. Jem verbalizes his understanding with the following:
". . . it wasn't rape if she let you, but she had to be eighteen—in Alabama, that is—and Mayella was nineteen. Apparently you had to kick and holler, you had to be overpowered and stomped on, preferably knocked stone cold. If you were under eighteen, you didn't have to go through all this" (209).
In addition to her terrible upbringing, Mayella also lies under oath. Scout learns by Mayella's behavior, speech, and choices that she has a better life as a Finch. She's taught to obey the law, go to school, and to live up to the high quality and character that the Finch name represents. By the end of the trial, Scout says the following about the Ewells:
"The name Ewell gave me a queasy feeling. Maycomb had lost no time in getting Mr. Ewell's views on Tom's demise and passing them along through the English Channel of gossip, Miss Stephanie Crawford. . . that Mr. Ewell said it made one down and about two more to go. Jem told me not to be afraid, Mr. Ewell was more hot gas than anything" (241).
Poor Mayella had to grow up and be around a man like that! Scout was fortunate to have a better father to learn from and to look up to. Scout has many opportunities to grow up to be a well-rounded woman of the twentieth century, whereas Mayella does not. Again, any lesson Scout might learn from Mayella is how to do everything in her power not to end up like her in any way.
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